Header

Chick fil-A Controversy: When a Chicken Nugget Goes Rogue!

Share this Story

Oh Chick-fil-A, when will you love again? Why drag waffle fries into this? They are innocent I tell you!

In July, Dan Cathy, president of the popular Georgia-based fast food chain, Chick-fil-A, made anti-gay comments on a radio show saying that “we’re inviting God’s judgment on our nation when we shake our fist at him and say we know better than you as to what constitutes a marriage. And I pray God’s mercy on our generation that has such a prideful, arrogant attitude that thinks we have the audacity to redefine what marriage is all about.”

Mr. Cathy, I think it’s time to look in the mirror before you talk about pride and arrogance. Marriage predates recorded history and there are various definitions of marriage according to the society or culture one belongs to. The audacity lies in the belief that one very narrow definition of marriage should apply across the full spectrum of humanity and those non-conformists should be treated as outcasts.

Chick-fil-A’s Facebook page says “The Chick-fil-A culture and service tradition in our restaurants is to treat every person with honor, dignity and respect—regardless of their belief, race, creed, sexual orientation or gender. We will continue this tradition in the over 1,600 Restaurants run by independent Owner/Operators. Going forward, our intent is to leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena.”

So this is a political drive-by by way of the drive-thru?!? Too late Chick-fil-A, you opened this can of worms. You’re in this, don’t turn and run now. Don’t be a…chikin!

In most instances, I do appreciate anyone who has the courage to stand for their convictions, though I may agree with them or not, it takes guts to stand up in the tech-media whirlpool and say something controversial. Just be ready to stand and defend your position, otherwise don’t fire that first shot. In this instance, I don’t think Mr. Cathy is courageous at all. It’s easy to yell out an insult, then go and run behind the whole loud, angry gang of rich conservatives standing behind you.

In 2011, Mr. Cathy told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “We’re not anti-anybody…our mission is to create raving fans.” Really, Chick-fil-A? Really?! You sucker me in with promises of waffle-shaped potatoes, crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, then shake your churchy chicken fingers at me for being a fan of the fabulous?! I’ll take my money elsewhere to places that don’t surreptitiously use self-interested cows to support hate and fear.

Regardless of what their Facebook page says, this chicken establishment has donated millions of dollars towards anti-gay organizations; groups that promote gay marriage opposition, bullying and harmful therapy techniques. Northeastern University recently dropped them as a campus vendor because they did not align with the school’s inclusive values.

Despite all of this, I am thankful for Mr. Cathy’s moment of candidness. The Boy Scouts of America and the One Million Moms anti-everything group (they even hate cookies!) have also taken up this fear driven war. I wish more companies and politicians were as forthright. Then I’d know which to support and which to stay far away from. Knowledge is power.

Yet the picture is not completely bleak. Jon Stewart, JCPenney, and even the Muppets are part of an ever- growing group that is tired of all the judging and hypocrisy. They are standing up for what is right and speaking out against the conservative war machine. If Fozzy Bear can stand in front of the tank, so can I, and so can you, dear Reader.

In this age where gay children and teens are bullied to the point of suicide, it is irresponsible and reprehensible to align yourself with the bullies. You’ve drawn your line in the sand, Mr. Cathy, you’ve cast that first stone. I hope you are confident in your own righteous superiority because, I tell you, it takes far more courage to step back over that line and dare to love and accept when your world tells you not to.

Stay strong LGBT’s! Though I am not a member of your beautiful community I stand with you in your fight for equality. You are not alone. No judgment, just love. And If anyone knows where I can get a good waffle fry, please let me know.

Crystal Willcuts Cole, Mnicoujou Lakota and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe member, was born in Rapid City, South Dakota and is an artist, writer, and poet currently residing in Big Stone Gap, Virginia with her husband and two children.

You need to be logged in in order to post commentsPlease use the log in option at the bottom of this page

Comment *

19

POST A COMMENT

Comments

For as much as Homosexuality life-style supporters espouse 'equality' and 'freedoms', if some-body TODAY disagrees or proclaims they don't support this life-style choice PUBLICLY, then the person or group are ATTACKED AND INITIMIDATED short of creating a MOB_SCENE.
What is even more of a concern is when PUBLIC GOVERNMENTS, i.e. City Councils, make it PUBLIC POLICY to attack and intimidate individuals or groups who simply DIS_AGREE!
It is unfortunate the Demo-gagueKratic Party has CHALLENGE regular Americans to homosexuality lifesyle choices by making it a 'platform' to divide the United States.
I applaud Chic-a-Filet and any other institution looking to 'fight' back!

Homosexuals, i.e. 'two-spirits', had a PLACE in traditional societies, YES. They weren't cast to the forefront nor did these two-spirits BULLY their way in against traditional values and norms. It is unfortunate to American society for two women to 'necking in front of a Target Store (inside) only in their hopes to be "challenged" by people or lest the Target Store! Bullying and initimidates tactics by homosexuals will run their course - against the traditional values of any civilized society.

I agree. Its disturbing how the media put a spin on it. Even this author claims that the Chic a Fil CEO is hiding behind the gang of rich angry republicans. I don't know where that came from. I think as Natives we really have to look at our past and not just the things we read in books. Polygamy was popular as pointed in a prior post. If all of the so called "traditionals" wanted to prove that they weren't assimilated they could begin practicing polygamy. Instead native leadership choose to side with what ever the democratic party tells them to.

Crystal Willcuts,
I respect your views from the article, but I think you have mischaracterized the Boy Scouts' position on the subject (it's not a 'fear driven war'). Your second sentence about being 'innocent' is the Boy Scouts' whole point: don't force BOYS (or any child) to address the sexual/political positions that we adults argue over.
Should cub scouts even be discussing sexual preference? Hell no, they should be out doing cub scout stuff. Think of all the great things kids can do together and not be drawn into the adult-driven nightmare of having to answer to every choice they make as a political preference...maybe they PREFER to be left alone as kids. I would when I was a kid. You?

Although I think it'd be better spent using resources and energy to tackle real issues targeting GLBT people, I do agree with the sentiments of your article. "Our" (like we're a monolithic people?) Ancestors talked and accepted god's creations for what they were, I'm glad to see us traditionals still holding to that. I think the Navajo express it the best with 4 genders.

I just learned my friend's cousin took her life today because of bullying. She was only 12 years old. If everyone could look into the faces of these beautiful children and see them the way Wakan Tanka sees them maybe people would feel more inclined to defend them against hate, bigotry, intolerance. Look into that mother's eyes, the one who just lost her precious child, then tell me what you will say about freedom of speech. I'm glad to kick the hornet's nest if it will save a child, I will do it again and again. Rest in peace Jennay.

The TV news media is a political tool/weapon of this 'homosexual mafia' group. In order to support their cause, these groups will drag and use anything/everything to support their cause even if this means: their effort to redefining marriage and re-inventing American Indian traditional customs and practices. Unfortunately too, children are being drawn as political pawns to these attacks.
What I don't like is how these groups and their off-shoots get to CHERRY-PICK traditional customs and practices while the rest of us try to live and abide by what is right and what is wrong. There is a CLEAR DELINATED LINE of what is black and what is white! The excuse of graying these lines is an invention for example of the Homosexual and their supporters.